chased leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 4th, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, jumped left 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, effort after 4 out, soon weakened
It is hard to know where to begin with this one so the betting market provide some clues for you but, without that, Top Dressing is selected ahead of his stable companion Isan and Nortonthorpe Lad. As we wrote, it is hard to know where to begin really, and maybe the betting will provide some clues. Isan showed a bit of promise on his racecourse debut but, with stable jockey Paddy Brennan having elected to ride Top Dressing, who has also shown some promise, we are going to take that as a hint. Another to consider is Nortonthorpe Lad, who would hold claims if recapturing his bumper promise, in which sphere he won. Watch the betting, then, but for the winner we will side Top Dressing.
Apocalozzo (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Always behind, struggling halfway, 12th of 15, well behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Blendon Boy (IRE) 250-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, prominent until weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Stanerra's Story (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol (Flat).
Colonel James (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, kept on, never near leaders, 5th of 13, 18l behind Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Isan (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and blundered 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 18, 25l behind Buster Hyvonen (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Liz's Dream Alflora gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Solway Breeze & winning hurdler Solway Minstrel.
Mischief Man 50-1 (11-3) Always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Sharp Reply (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, 10th of 16, well behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, well behind The Abbots Habit (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Top Dressing (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered 5th, chased leaders to 2 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 21l behind Marine Life (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Arcangela 150-1 (10-0) Led to 4th, in touch when fell 5 out in race won by English City (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft, 11 ran.
Paradise Expected 100-1 (10-5) Behind from 4th, never dangerous, 10th of 15, well behind Markington (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
